PORKY PIES?
Celebrity MasterChef in ‘fix’ row as fans accuse contestant of ‘lying’ about not being able to cook
CELEBRITY MasterChef has been hit with claims of a 'fix' after one of the contestants insisted they have never cooked before.
The Wanted's Max George was among the latest batch of celebs to try their luck in the kitchen and impress judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode.
6
6
Before he began, Max told the cameras that he lied on his application form for Celebrity MasterChef just to get on the show.
He claimed he cooked "four times a week" but admitted that he "doesn't cook at all".
But fans were left puzzled after he then went on to whip up a storm in the Celebrity MasterChef kitchen.
First, he impressed the judges with a homemade butternut squash soup - despite being unable to even recognise the vegetable.
READ MORE ON CELEBRITY MASTERCHEF
He was then heaped with praise for cooking from scratch a "perfect" steak dinner and homemade jam sponge and custard pudding.
Gregg even declared Max as his "cook of the day".
Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, some fans accused Max of "lying" about his experience in the kitchen.
One said: ";Is Max George lying about not knowing how to cook?"
Most read in TV
Another added: "Can't cook but making steak, jam and custard."
And a third wrote: "Max taking the easy route with soup."
Others suggested that the singer might have had "sneaky" cookery lessons before filming for the BBC One programme got underway.
"Max has def had sneaky cookery lessons," a viewer said.
Another chimed in: "Been sent to a pre show crammer like so many of these alleged celebs."
And someone else agreed: "Blatantly!"
Max went head to head with 80s kids' TV presenter Dave Benson Phillips, comedienne Shazia Mirza, Radio 1 Extra host Remi Burgz and The Word's Terry Christian on Wednesday night's show.
The contestants were first given the 'cloche challenge', where they each selected a cloche containing an unknown ingredient to cook with.
Max uncovered a butternut squash and declared: "Never, NEVER seen one of them in my life." He then called it "a pumpkin".
The star then went on to explain to Gregg and John: "When I got asked about this show, I kind of put that I cook four times a week because I wanted to do the show.
"But I don't cook at all."
Max said he asked his pal, former Celebrity MasterChef contestant Ryan Thomas, for some advice but said: "He sent me a minute long voice note of him laughing".
Yet despite these claims, Max managed to whip up an impressive bowl of 'spied butternut squash and potato soup topped with cream and served with fried croutons and a sour dough bread'.
After tasting it, Gregg told him: "I'd have that for my lunch!"
In the next round, the contestants were challenged with making a two-course meal for a dinner party.
Again, Max turned the judges' heads with a plate of 'steak, parmesan wedges, grilled asparagus and a peppercorn sauce'. His dessert was a jam sponge - with the sponge, jam and custard all made from scratch.
John said: ";I need to put a flag in the sand for Max. Max has come in here with real classic dishes."
Gregg agreed: He gave us steakhouse steak and chips with a peppercorn sauce. And then he gave us 1970s school dinner jam sponge and custard. And I loved it!"
John replied: "Max is a real contender. I think he should stay with us."
Gregg even declared: "Max is my cook of the day!"
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Max was kept in the competition alongside Remi, Shazia and Terry. Dave was sent home.
- Celebrity MasterChef continues at 9pm, BBC One, Thursday August 10
6
6
6
6
Topics